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Articles ( * = TheHorse.com members only )Date Posted
Old Horse Saved from Louisiana Flood
The Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) partnered with local Ouachita Parish officials and Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries to rescue and evacuate a geriatric horse from the rising floodwaters of the Ouachita River on Nov. 9, 2009, in West Monroe, La. Horse owner Tess Cooper had contacted her veterinarian, Dr. Jay Wharford, and asked for his ... Read full story
 11/19/2009
Endurance Horse Study Reveals Common Complaints, Resolutions
A lot of things can happen over the many miles of an endurance event. California veterinarians recently tracked the incidence and resolution of equine medical issues encountered during endurance competition. C. Langdon Fielding, DVM, Dipl. ACVECC, of the Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center in California, and colleagues, looked at the records of ... Read full story
 11/15/2009
Old Horse Colicking? Consider Surgery a Viable Option
Geriatric horses have lower survival rates than younger horses following exploratory colic surgery, but there's no significant difference in long term survival rates between age groups, report Florida equine veterinarians in a new study. Most horses discharged post-surgically were still alive one year later, regardless of their age. Since many ... Read full story
 11/14/2009
The Horse and Equine Vet Techs Become Media Partners
The Horse and the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians (AAEVT) have become official Media Partners. "Vet techs are the unsung heroes of veterinary hospitals," said Kimberly S. Brown, publisher/editor of The Horse. "They are the ones responsible for detailed, day-to-day care of in-clinic horses, and they are the professionals ... Read full story
 11/13/2009
Study: Horse Manure Storage Conditions Impact Fecal Egg Counts
Environmental conditions during collection and storage of equine fecal samples impact the resulting fecal egg counts (FECs), report parasitologists from both Denmark and the United States. "Due to the concern regarding anthelmintic resistance in horses, counting strongylid eggs in equine fecal samples pre- and post-deworming has become an ... Read full story
 11/9/2009
Horse Sleep Disorders and Seizures Reviewed for Equine Vets
If you have ever witnessed a horse having a so-called "episodic event," you aren't likely to soon forget it, particularly if the event occurred while the horse was under saddle. Episodic events are defined here as unusual or unexpected, usually brief (spanning seconds to minutes) behavioral events. Between attacks, affected horses and ... Read full story
 11/2/2009
Management of Horses with Diarrhea Reviewed for World Equine Vets
Bacteria such as Salmonella or Clostridium can wreak havoc on a horse's gastrointestinal tract, causing massive losses of water, electrolytes, and proteins. The result? Diarrhea. A smelly, watery, life-threatening mess. "In more than 60% of diarrhea cases, we never actually discover the inciting cause and testing for all the possibilities ... Read full story
 10/30/2009
Remember Seasonal Variation in Cushing's Testing   *
Diagnosing equine Cushing's disease (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, or PPID) in horses or ponies not showing the "full blown" disease is complicated and frustrating. "To accurately diagnose PPID in the early stages of disease, monitor the progression of the condition, or response to treatment, we require accurate endocrine tests," said Jill ... Read full story
 10/22/2009
AAEP Members Rank Equine Research Needs   *
Laminitis and colic were the top two equine conditions in need of more research, according to nearly 600 members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) who recently responded to a survey conducted by the AAEP Foundation. The Foundation coordinates equine research and supports student scholarships. This is the second member survey ... Read full story
 10/21/2009
Understanding Antibody Titers  *
One of the most often used and least understood immunological terms is antibody titer. But what does titer mean, and how can this information be used in assessing the immune status of a horse? A titer is defined as the concentration of specific antibodies in the blood that recognize a particular agent, such as equine influenza virus. The titer is ... Read full story
 10/20/2009
Horse Rescues Prepare for Long Winter Ahead   *
Tawnee Preisner doesn't need a calendar to know that winter is approaching--all she has to do is count the number of inquiries she receives from horse owners wanting to place their animals at her California equine rescue. Calls from financially strapped horse owners in need of help spike every fall, she said. But this year, the number of inquiries ... Read full story
 10/11/2009
Aseptic Platelet-Rich Plasma Preparation Essential in Equine Practice   *
Special laboratory equipment is not needed to produce bacteria-free platelet concentrates (commonly referred to as platelet-rich plasma), but stringent attention to proper aseptic technique is essential. Equine veterinarians are using platelet concentrates more often for the management of musculoskeletal disease. They can be prepared using a variety ... Read full story
 9/15/2009
Diarrhea Prevention in Hospitalized Horses a Delicate Bacterial Balance   *
Diarrhea acquired while staying in a hospital, termed nosocomial diarrhea, is an unfortunate risk when hospitalizing a horse, but there are steps owners and veterinarians can take to help prevent disease. There are many reasons why horses get diarrhea while in the hospital, including infectious pathogens, diet changes, medication, exposure to sick ... Read full story
 8/20/2009
Impaction Colic Review: Consistent Management Reduces Risk   *
A horse's risk of impaction might be elevated by decreased exercise, restricted water intake, administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and poor dentition, said Amy E. Plummer, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, in a recent Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice review of intestinal impactions. It is important to remember that impactions ... Read full story
 7/28/2009
Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians Recognized   *
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) recently announced three new specialty academies for their members. In addition to their existing specialties in dentistry, anesthesia, internal medicine, emergency and critical care, and behavior, the group now recognizes the following specialties: Academy of Equine Veterinary ... Read full story
 7/15/2009
Broodmare's Laminitis Battle Aided by Volunteer Vet  *
"She is just a nice, plain mare; nothing special." That is the way Don Blowe describes 16-year-old Halo Silver, a bay mare he purchased in 2001 to add to his small band of broodmares at Ascot Thoroughbreds, a farm he and his wife, Beth, own in Canada. Blowe never guessed that a few years later, Halo Silver, who quickly proved she was a valuable ... Read full story
 7/1/2009
AAEP Member Honored for Therapeutic Riding Horse Care  *
For the past 10 years, Richard Markell, DVM, has traveled every Wednesday afternoon to the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center in Orange County, Calif., about 75 miles from his own practice in Encinitas, Calif. An AAEP member who has cared for horses competing in the Olympic Games and World Cup, Markell provides basic veterinary care to center's ... Read full story
 6/19/2009
The Horse Partners with World Equine Veterinary Association   *
An exciting education and outreach partnership has been formed between The Horse and the World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA). The two groups will work together to educate veterinarians and other industry professionals about the health, care, management, and welfare of equids around the world and bring information from those groups to horse owners ... Read full story
 6/16/2009
Planning for the Worst While You're Away   *
Take the steps to provide the best treatment possible for your horse and your situation, and decrease the stress on yourself and the veterinary team in the event of an equine emergency. Please turn on your imagination for a moment and put yourself in the following scenario: You're returning home from a relaxing vacation. Your plane lands, you power ... Read full story
 6/14/2009
Farriery: Past, Present, and Future  *
Bill Moyer, DVM, professor of sports medicine and head of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M University, and the current AAEP vice president, began his discussion during the "Putting Science into Farriery" session at the 2008 Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners by describing the state of farriery ... Read full story
 6/8/2009
Rabies Danger, Exposure Cost Reinforce Equine Vaccination Need   *
Rabies is a rhabdovirus that has been a human threat since antiquity. The virus is capable of infecting all warm-blooded animals with some variation in susceptibility. Rabies is considered 100% fatal to the infected host. However, in order for any disease to perpetuate itself, 100% is not in the realm of "mother nature," or the disease would kill itself ... Read full story
 6/7/2009
Managing the Overgrown Hooves of a Laminitic Pony   *
Laminitis is the result of systemic disease with local consequences in the feet--including mismatch in growth between toes and heels. Ponies on rich pasture seem especially vulnerable to laminitis. The end result is often a discrepancy in hoof growth, in which the heels grow faster than the toe due to compromised blood supply to the inflamed laminae ... Read full story
 6/3/2009
Vets Discuss 'Equitarian' Outreach Efforts, AAEP 2008  *
The table topic meeting room was full to overflowing with equine veterinarians at the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif., most interested in some of the worldwide equine welfare projects both ongoing and proposed. The meeting was to continue a process to identify and coordinate some ... Read full story
 5/31/2009
Colic Questions? TheHorse.Com to Present Ask the Vet Live  *
Is there something you want to ask a veterinary specialist about colic? Attend Ask the Vet Live on TheHorse.com on Thursday, May 28, from 12 noon to 12:30 p.m. Ask the Vet Live: Colic is sponsored by Arenus. This FREE live Q&A session is open to anyone registered on TheHorse.com. This first-of-its-kind, live e-mail question and answer session ... Read full story
 5/20/2009
Advanced Equine Dentistry Table Topic   *
Equine dentistry is a rapidly expanding field that encompasses a number of procedures. These include occlusal equilibration (how the teeth contact the opposite tooth surfaces), endodontics (the treatment of diseases of the tooth pulp), exodontics (the extraction of teeth), oral surgery, orthodontics (the supervision and guidance of the growing dentition ... Read full story
 4/23/2009
PreventiCare Wellness Program Updated   *
Pfizer Animal Health's equine wellness program PreventiCare now features a redesigned Web site and new online capabilities that allow horse owners and veterinarians to enroll, track, and manage horses in the program. The new Web site, Equinepreventicare.com, permits horse owners to register and submit enrollment and re-enrollment applications for ... Read full story
 4/16/2009
Lame or Ataxic? Kinetic Gait Analysis Can Tell  *
Being able to tell the difference between a mild lameness and subtle spinal ataxia is an important, yet challenging, endeavor in equine practice. Ohio State researchers recently reported that kinetic gait analysis--the computer analysis of a horse's gait--can help veterinarians distinguish between the two conditions with "excellent accuracy." "Until ... Read full story
 3/12/2009
Managing a Horse on a Tight Budget   *
Most horse owners do not own horses as a business, or with expectations of generating household income from them. Rather, owners are more intent on maximizing the amount of pleasure or involvement per dollar spent. Saving money when it comes to horse ownership is always important, but even more so when the economy is down and people are struggling ... Read full story
 1/24/2009
Veterinarian Locator Service Improved   *
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), in conjunction with Bayer Healthcare Animal Health, recently launched its new and improved Get-A-DVM locator service. This online service allows horse owners to find AAEP-member veterinarians quickly and easily anywhere in the world. The GET-A-DVM search engine has been updated to include advance ... Read full story
 1/23/2009
Ataxia in a Young Horse: A Matter of Time and Luck  *
When we got a call from our boarding stable on the day of my 6-month-old Trakehner colt's first vaccinations, one word we weren't expecting to hear was "ataxia." As a freelance news writer for The Horse, I'm subject to the same kind of "overdiagnosis syndrome" as anyone in the health industry--your horse coughs and you fear herpesvirus; he shivers ... Read full story
 1/21/2009
TheHorse.com Launches Editorial 'Fact Sheet' Series  *
Sometimes it is difficult to find that one short authoritative article that gives the basic information you're looking for on a specific equine topic. Something that gives you a foundation when you are looking for a starting point on which to build knowledge about a problem that has beset your horse. TheHorse.com has the answer: Fact Sheets. A series ... Read full story
 1/21/2009
Commentary: Equine Medicine Has Come a Long Way  *
While I was in veterinary school 20-some years ago, the first ultrasound machine was being "explored" by board-certified veterinary radiologists at university veterinary schools. Pain medication for horses was mostly limited to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs of phenylbutazone, flunixin meglumine, and dipyrone (no longer available). Other ... Read full story
 1/7/2009
Readers Weigh in on Low-Cost Euthanasia Clinics   *
More than 2,370 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "Do you think low-cost equine euthanasia clinics should be widely available?" Results were as follows: Yes: 89.08% (2,112) No: 5.69% (135) I don't know: 5.23% (124) Read more about a planned low-cost euthanasia clinic. Results of weekly polls from TheHorse.com ... Read full story
 10/30/2008
Equine Pain Management: Readers Share Their Tools  *
More than 1,350 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "What do you use for pain management?" Results were as follows: Phenylbutazone (Bute) 85.33% (1,175) Flunixin meglumine (Banamine) 53.38% (735) Anti-inflammatory herbs 17.79% (245) Alternative treatments 14.52% (200) Other 10.31% (142) 1% Diclofenac sodium ... Read full story
 10/24/2008
Equine Telecardiology Progresses  *
Earlier this year, a veterinarian in Connecticut performed a basic exam upon a senior horse prior to sedating him for a routine dental procedure. The 19-year-old gelding was a standard pasture puff--in he was in good condition, basically healthy, and a low-maintenance kind of guy. But when she put her stethoscope to his chest and heard what sounded ... Read full story
 10/21/2008
Horse Owners Look to Save During Economic Crunch   *
The current economic climate and tight credit markets have everyone looking for ways to live more frugally, and horse owners are no exception. "Nervousness about loans and housing is certainly affecting people," said American Horse Council president James Hickey Jr. From industry meetings, Hickey has observed that there is a general concern that ... Read full story
 10/4/2008
Shortage of Large Animal Vets Taxes Farmers   *
This summer, Steve Sanford had to tell 106 dairy farmers in rural northern Vermont he could no longer treat their cows. Battling degenerative arthritis, the 56-year-old large animal veterinarian can't do the physically challenging work any more. Worse, he can't find anyone who will, having already tried to recruit a bovine veterinarian to join his ... Read full story
 10/3/2008
Racehorse Ready to Run After Bout with Ataxia  *
Racehorse owners Suzanne VanderSalm and Ellen Bennett of Hickory Corners, Mich., weren't about to give up on Navigator, their Thoroughbred who became ataxic (incoordinated) suddenly as a yearling three years ago. VanderSalm had come home from Great Lakes Downs for the weekend to discover her bright yearling, which she had raised from a foal, wobbling ... Read full story
 10/2/2008
Autumn Brings Challenges to Cushing's Diagnosis, Management   *
Autumn's chill does not just mean your horse will grow a longer coat. It can also mean he'll have higher natural levels of the hormone plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), which, in conjunction with other factors, can lead to flare-ups of laminitis. Veterinarians recommend that owners test, monitor, and manage horses with metabolic problems carefully ... Read full story
 9/27/2008
Wait Too Long to Call the Vet? See What Our Readers Said  *
More than 900 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "Do any of your horse-owning friends wait too long to call the veterinarian for injury or illness?" Results were as follows: Yes: 62.54% (576) No: 37.46% (345) Readers shared their comments below. Results of weekly polls from TheHorse.com are published in The Horse ... Read full story
 9/18/2008
Promoting Equine Veterinary Practice to Vet Students  *
More than 800 third-year veterinary students were given a fully sponsored trip to attend the Opportunities in Equine Practice Seminar (OEPS) in Lexington, Ky., over Labor Day weekend. Members of the veterinary class of 2010 were given the opportunity to visit horse farms, veterinary clinics, a therapy farm, and other equine-related attractions to get ... Read full story
 9/2/2008
Reaction Case Underlines Need for Horse Owner and Vet Communication  *
The ability to have a straightforward, informative conversation with your veterinarian about his or her prescribed treatments for your horse can be just as important as asking questions about treatments or diagnostics that your own physician recommends. With the ever-increasing (read: overwhelming) breadth of information out there about equine veterinary ... Read full story
 8/27/2008
Vets as Product Advisors  *
According to a 2006 American Veterinary Medical Association survey, pet owners said they most often asked their veterinarians for advice on which foods, supplements, dewormers, and other products to purchase for their dogs and cats. While this survey (results listed below in descending order of use) and others show that small animal veterinarians ... Read full story
 8/1/2008
The Science of Seasons Behind Laminitis, PPID   *
Are horses susceptible to meterological manipulation? Not exactly, but two research groups reported their findings of the impact of seasonal variations on horses: one on laminitic ponies and the other on diagnostic test results for pituitary gland dysfunction in adult horses. They presented these reports at the American College of Veterinary Internal ... Read full story
 7/20/2008
ACVIM Forum: 10 Years of Infection Control   *
After 10 years as Director of Biosecurity at Colorado State's large animal hospital, Paul Morley, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, recently relayed some of the key lessons he and his colleagues have learned while developing the school's biosecurity program. Morley's presentation at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum, held June ... Read full story
 7/19/2008
Equine Dentistry: Straight From the Horse's Mouth
As a veterinarian with more than 20 years of experience in veterinary dentistry, James Anthony, DVM, Dipl. AVDC, offers a unique perspective on issues related to this specialized field, the growing recognition of dentistry's importance in equine health--and a glimpse of its future. Anthony is a 1983 graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine ... Read full story
 7/19/2008
Stall-Side Airway Test will be Available Soon  *
English researchers are working to move airway disease screening and diagnostics from the lab into the barn. Equine HealthCare, a company based in the U.K., is developing a new respiratory diagnostic test based on measuring the amount of hydrogen peroxide--which can indicate airway inflammation--in exhaled breath condensate. Horse owners would be ... Read full story
 7/10/2008
Recommendations on Rattlesnake Bite Management   *
The United States is home to 26 species of rattlesnakes, making rattlesnake bites relatively common events in equine medicine. A talk entitled, "Just another Snake Bite? Pathophysiology, Treatment, & Long-Term Effects," was included at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum, held June 4-7. According to Lyndi Gilliam, ... Read full story
 7/6/2008
CDC Study: Equine Practitioner Hygiene Could Use Improvement   *
In a multi-institutional study coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), researchers found that many veterinarians do not consistently engage in behaviors or practices that are widely deemed protective against the spread and transmission of zoonotic diseases. Emerging infectious diseases are those that have appeared in ... Read full story
 7/2/2008
States of Confusion: Regulation of Complementary Therapies   *
Not too many years ago, proponents of massage therapy, acupuncture and acupressure, chiropractic, and other complementary or alternative therapies for animals often were dismissed as part of the lunatic fringe. Today, with apologies to Bob Dylan, the times they are a changing. According to a 2005 survey conducted by the North Carolina Horse Council, ... Read full story
 6/27/2008
Dirty Jobs for Horses: Charlie Brown, Blood Donor and Teacher  *
Veterinary teaching hospitals save horses' lives and train future veterinarians. But along with the human faculty, another type of staff member has an integral role in training new vets to care for your horse. "Our teaching horses are very valued members of our teaching facility," stated Beth Davis, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, associate professor of Equine ... Read full story
 6/26/2008
Big Brown's Owners Prepare to Open Belmont Equine Hospital   *
At the beginning of 2008, International Equine Acquisitions Holdings (IEAH) anticipated that its biggest event of the year would be the opening of the $17-million equine medical facility it built and funded a stone's throw outside the gates of Belmont Park. Little did IEAH know that a horse owned by the partnership would steal the thunder by winning ... Read full story
 6/21/2008
Vet Shortage Could Put Squeeze on Horse Owners   *
The nation could face a shortage of as many as 4,000 veterinarians in the next six years, if current trends continue, according to a recent study based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Researchers at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University found while examining the data that veterinary schools will only produce about ... Read full story
 6/12/2008
Weak Economy Challenges Veterinarians  *
Recently, Tim Van Der Ploeg, DVM, received a call from one of his clients, who was seeking help for her horse. She thought the animal was suffering from tetanus. "I told her what we could do, and how much treatment would cost," said Van Der Ploeg, who practices in Somerset, Ky., "but she said she'd only taken ownership of the horse because it was ... Read full story
 6/5/2008
Study Highlights Veterinary Contribution to Economy   *
Veterinary medicine contributes $3.3 billion to the economies of New England, but the region could face shortage of as many as 658 veterinarians by 2014, according to a study by the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. The study--undertaken by the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute and commissioned by the Cummings ... Read full story
 6/4/2008
Rescues Consider Cost of Equine Welfare Cases   *
In February the Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (HSPCA) in Columbia, S.C., seized 45 horses. Four months and thousands of dollars later, the criminal cases against the animals' owners, Hazelene, James and Terry Trexler, are nowhere near resolution, but the cost of supporting the herd continues to mount. "We have spent, $45,000 ... Read full story
 5/30/2008
New Horse Course on Targeting Foal Disease Available  *
Neonate losses are a significant problem for the equine industry. In one study in an equine-dense area, 68% of foal deaths occurred within the first month of life, with 41% occurring during the first week of life alone. Causes ranged from infections and musculoskeletal injuries to pneumonia and gastrointestinal disorders. In the latest Horse Course ... Read full story
 5/29/2008
Healthy Horses Workshop: Acupuncture and Chiropractic
During the annual convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, one day is set aside for horse owners in the area to listen to experts in the field lecture and demonstrate on specific aspects involved in the overall wellness, training, and care of the horse. This program is known as the Healthy Horses Workshop. The December 2007 ... Read full story
 5/12/2008
Neck Problems in Sport Horses  *
Remember the last time you rolled out of bed in the morning feeling like you must have slept with your neck contorted like a noodle? The lingering stiffness lasts all day, making simple things like dressing and driving a pain. Now, imagine you're a horse with neck pain--consider how uncomfortable it would be to move in a frame, on the bit, to flex ... Read full story
 5/11/2008
Permanent Tracheostomy Safe and Effective in Select Horses  *
Creating a permanent hole in the windpipe of horses through a procedure known as a tracheostomy might be the treatment of choice for horses afflicted with specific diseases of the upper respiratory tract that could not be successfully treated by alternate strategies. "While the procedure itself is not novel, information regarding post-operative complications, ... Read full story
 5/8/2008
What's Going on in There? Diagnostics for the Chronically Infertile Mare
When examining the chronically infertile mare, it's important to remember that the uterus is not an organ suspended in space--it must be viewed as one part in a complex system. Anything affecting the animal, no matter how remote, can have an effect on the reproductive system, according to Michelle LeBlanc, DVM, Dipl. ACT, a practitioner with Rood & ... Read full story
 5/8/2008
Handling a Choking Horse  *
All animals can choke, including horses. When it happens, it should be considered a medical emergency. A horse chokes when its esophagus is obstructed, rather than the trachea, or windpipe. Although horses are still able to breathe in this situation, it is important to contact a veterinarian right away. "When horses choke, it is because something ... Read full story
 4/25/2008
Wooden Shoes for Chronic Laminitis  *
The chronically laminitic horse is often a very tough case to manage because displacement of the coffin bone within the foot leads to a lot of pain and damage, in addition to the damage that allowed the displacement in the first place. At the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla., Stephen O'Grady, ... Read full story
 4/23/2008
Service Pony Recovers from Health Crisis  *
Thanks to the skill and kindness of several Texas veterinarians, a blind woman's assistive guide pony is recuperating from serious illness. Trixie is a nearly 14-year-old Pony of the Americas mare, and she has been Tabitha Darling's service animal for seven years. Darling is legally blind, and while she can't see well enough to drive a car, she can ... Read full story
 4/10/2008
AAEP Launching Equine Dentistry Campaign   *
Because proper dental care is vital to a horse's overall health, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) is launching a campaign to promote the need for horses to receive a thorough oral examination at least once a year. Designed to reach horse owners, the campaign will kick off in April and run through 2008. It is important to ... Read full story
 4/7/2008
Commentary: Working With Your Veterinarian  *
"Please help! My 10-year-old Quarter Horse has been down in the pasture for two days and won't get up. What should I do?" "A week ago I saw my horse bitten by a skunk in broad daylight. I dressed the wounds, but after searching the internet, I'm concerned about rabies. Should I vaccinate him?" To an equine practitioner, these sound like typical ... Read full story
 4/3/2008
Surpass vs. Bute for Arthritis  *
Osteoarthritis medications were a hot topic at the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla., with four presentations on various medications during one half-day session alone. In particular, David Frisbie, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, associate professor of veterinary clinical sciences at Colorado State ... Read full story
 3/31/2008
Buying a Horse: Tips for First-Time Owners   *
It might be just one horsepower, but before riding off into the sunset on that new horse you've just purchased, make sure you know what you are getting. Michael Martin, DVM, equine field service clinician at Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, has offered some tips on selecting a horse and how your ... Read full story
 3/28/2008
Readers Respond: Just Ain't Right  *
Nearly 2,000 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, " What do you do when your horse isn't acting normal, but doesn't show specific clinical signs?" Results were as follows: Monitor your horse's vital signs and call your veterinarian if he doesn't seem better soon: 78.73% (1,510) Call your veterinarian immediately: 9.54% ... Read full story
 3/24/2008
In-Depth: Examining the Equine Eye   *
Dennis Brooks, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVO, of the University of Florida veterinary school, led the panel at the in-depth session on ophthalmology at the 2007 AAEP convention in Orlando, Fla., held Dec. 1-5. He was excited to share many new ideas that have developed in the last six months to allow veterinarians to save eyes and sight. He stressed that in ... Read full story
 3/24/2008
Annual Wellness Exam  *
Wellness care can result in a healthier, longer life for the horse at a more predictable and manageable cost for the owner. The thing about horses is they can't talk to you to tell you what's wrong. Sometimes they are "speaking," but their communication is so subtle that without a trained eye or experience, you might miss some issues that are important ... Read full story
 3/1/2008
Working With a Nutritionist  *
Using a qualified equine nutritionist can help you manage your horses to live and work better. Feeding horses properly is an art and a science. Sometimes it helps to work with a nutritionist to find out which grains best complement available forages, to design the best diet for a broodmare or a performance horse, or to resolve a nutritional problem. ... Read full story
 2/1/2008
Investigating Foreign Animal Diseases   *
Surveillance for and the investigation of suspected foreign animal diseases is a high priority for state and federal animal health regulatory officials, because the movement of animals and animal products, including semen and embryos, in international commerce could introduce disease and pests into our domestic animal populations. The introduction ... Read full story
 12/30/2007
Seeking an Expert  *
We live in the age of instant and abundant information. Today's horse owners and enthusiasts are extremely well-informed and have high expectations for the medical care of their animals. As a result, it is not uncommon when a horse develops a medical problem for the horse owner to desire a second opinion from an expert to supplement the information ... Read full story
 12/1/2007
4 Communication Tips  *
Ben Espy, DVM, Dipl. ACT, offers his advice on communicating with your veterinarian: #1 Keep your own records Whether you are trying to schedule routine work or an emergency visit, your veterinarian relies on you to be all of their senses when talking to you on the phone. Although most veterinarians have evolved to using computers, e-mail, and PDA ... Read full story
 12/1/2007
Education Summit Focuses on Attracting, Keeping Equine Vets   *
Nationally recognized educators and private practitioners gathered in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Oct. 10, to discuss how to recruit more equine veterinarians and ensure those currently in the profession are retained. The American Association of Equine Practitioners sponsored the first Summit on Equine Veterinary Education to start a dialogue about key career ... Read full story
 11/12/2007
Equine 911: Making the Call on When to Call the Vet   *
If you contact your veterinarian at the first sign of a problem, you might actually end up spending less and having better results. Let your veterinarian decide which of these three situations you fall in: Situation one: Your veterinarian is coming right out for one of these emergencies: Squinting, tearing, cloudiness, or injury to the eye Unable ... Read full story
 10/24/2007
When Your Horse Visits the Hospital: 12 Tips  *
Taking your horse to the equine hospital can be confusing and emotionally taxing. As the owner, you will be asked to assist the treatment team, and also to make decisions for your horse. Here are tips to prepare you from three top hospitals, Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (Sarah Dukti, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, clinical assistant ... Read full story
 9/2/2007
What to Expect from a Veterinarian?
Q: I am looking for general information regarding my veterinarian and horse care. What should I expect from the veterinarian? I feel like she just provides shots, but there is really no physical examination. Is there a set protocol or standard that I should be asking for? She does shots and moves on to the next horse, and that is about it. My dog gets ... Read full story
 9/1/2007
Down the Hatch: Feeding System for Horses Unwilling or Unable to Eat  *
Veterinarians at Oregon State University developed a method to get valuable calories into anorexic horses or those unable to eat normally. The process employs a couple of buckets, pelleted complete feed, water, tubing, and a bilge pump. For horses with mouth or throat injuries, this method can be used to provide the horse's complete daily ration ... Read full story
 7/11/2007
Veterinary Ethics  *
Owners, trainers, and veterinarians are responsible for the health and welfare of the horse. Performance horses need to be treated like any other athletes. This often entails medical treatment by veterinarians, which allows horses to compete in a comfortable manner. Competition in such disciplines as show hunters and jumpers requires the horse to have ... Read full story
 6/1/2007
Ideally Speaking  *
At the end of a long day, possibly after driving many miles in all sorts of weather and traffic, many an equine veterinarian must pause for a few moments and shake his/her head in amazement. This amazement is probably not in regard to the animals, but to their owners! Perhaps we can make this difficult occupation a bit easier with just a few common ... Read full story
 5/1/2007
Where Are All the Vets?  *
The caller is in the midst of a terrible dilemma. It is 8:30 on a rainy, November night. The weatherman is calling for the roads to freeze up. This poor woman's horse is colicking, and her "regular" veterinarian won't even return her phone calls. How does a horse owner avoid ending up in a situation like this? And why won't veterinarians go out to ... Read full story
 10/1/2006
Breeding Specialists  *
The equine breeding industry has evolved dramatically with the introduction of artificial insemination programs and advanced assisted reproductive techniques. While live cover breeding pro-grams are still a mainstay for specific breeds, many breed associations now accept foals conceived through the use of cooled and frozen semen, embryo transfer, and ... Read full story
 12/1/2005
Working Horse Dentistry  *
Equine dentistry started centuries ago with filing horses’ teeth, but it was not until the past decade that motorized dental instrumentation coupled with research allowed vast improvements. These advances have helped all horses, but performance or working horses have seen the most benefit. Why is dentistry particularly important in horses that are ... Read full story
 11/1/2005
Cure For a Toothache  *
Abby is a Tennessee Walking Horse mare who was recently purchased by a Virginia family as a 5-year-old and shipped there from Tennessee to train and show. A dental examination six months after purchase found that her right and left lower first cheek teeth, 306 and 406 on the Triadan numbering system (a system used consistently to number teeth across ... Read full story
 11/1/2005
Dental Plan for the Working Horse  *
Routine equine dental care is important for three reasons, says David O. Klugh, DVM, Fellow in the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry, owner of Equine Dental Associates in Yamhill, Ore.: Making sure deciduous teeth come out and adult teeth erupt in proper alignment; Maximizing tooth longevity; and Addressing causes of immediate pain. It's the ... Read full story
 11/1/2005
Veterinary/Horse Health Care Professional Certifications (Alphavet Soup)  *
What do all those letters behind your horse health care provider's name mean, anyway? Below is a list of veterinary and other horse health care degrees and their translations. General graduate degrees: MS or MSc-Masters of Science PhD-Doctor of Philosophy DSc, DSc (hons), DSc (honoris causa) General veterinary degrees: BVSc or MVB-Bachelor ... Read full story
 10/9/2005
Getting an Equine Nutritionist Consultation  *
Sure, it makes sense that the owners of high-end performance horses and blue-blood broodmares find the services offered by equine nutritionists useful. Anything that can give these horses an edge or help them reach their maximum potential is ultimately a revenue-booster. But what about the horse owners who compete on the B and C circuits, or the weekend ... Read full story
 9/1/2005
When to Call the Vet?  *
Any list of clinical signs, conditions, or circumstances that should trigger a call for veterinary help could be endless. Due to the many subtleties and variables involved in episodes of injury or illness, a "do call vs. don't call checklist" approach to equine health care can also lead to overlooked clinical signs, treatment delays, and unfortunate ... Read full story
 8/1/2005
Online Horse Health Care   *
The Internet has permeated nearly every aspect of our lives; we use it for music, movie tickets, tools, clothing, research, a social life, sport picks, and who knows what else. Information is so easy to find, but there is, as always, a catch--maybe it's just a little too easy. In the case of finding horse health care information, there are actually ... Read full story
 5/1/2005
Recognizing and Responding to Neglect   *
Equine veterinarians are in a unique position to recognize neglect or the potential for neglect in horses. They have direct access to horses and horse property, and they get to know horses and their owners by providing care for many years. As regular outsiders, equine veterinarians might pick up on trends of which the horse's owner could be unaware. ... Read full story
 4/1/2005
What is a Specialist?   *
Your primary care veterinarian calls in a specialist for your sick horse; you didn't know there were veterinary specialists. You are familiar with the specialty system in human medicine. Most of us have been to an ophthalmologist, some to an internist, a cardiologist, or a dermatologist. Since about 1972, specialty organizations have become more prominent ... Read full story
 3/1/2005
AAEP Convention 2004: Prepurchase Exams Table Topic  *
The conditions under which a veterinarian is asked to complete a purchase exam have great bearing on how much he or she is able to ascertain about the horse and its current state of health and athleticism. A roomful of veterinarians discussed the ins and outs of purchase exams at the 50th annual American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention ... Read full story
 2/14/2005
AAEP Convention 2004: Horseman's Day--Dentistry  *
Mary DeLorey, DVM, owner of Northwest Equine Dentistry in Washington, began Horseman's Day at the 50th annual American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention in Denver, Colo., Dec. 4-8, 2004, with a presentation titled "Everything You Wanted to Know About Equine Dentistry." "Just a float isn't enough anymore," she told her listeners. ... Read full story
 2/14/2005
Panel Discusses Veterinary Disclosure, Accountability  *
The issue of full disclosure of veterinary procedures for horses offered at auction generated lively discussion during the Nov. 2 Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club meeting in Lexington. The Sales Integrity Task Force is preparing a position paper expected to include recommendations on the issue. Task force chairman Cot Campbell and other ... Read full story
 11/9/2004
Don't Bypass a Veterinarian
I have an older Tennessee Walking Horse with Cushing's disease. She has been on Cipro for some time. She foundered long before I got her, but it has become chronic. I have been able to maintain her to a point, but she is losing weight and I have a difficult time getting her to eat. She has a lump under her throatlatch that seems to change in size when ... Read full story
 11/1/2004
Dental Professionals Available   *
There is, of late, much discussion amongst horse owners and the horse industry in general about the practice of equine veterinary dentistry by unlicensed lay individuals. Some feel that laws should not restrict the horse owner in their choice of service providers. Some have even stated that most equine veterinarians know little if anything about dentistry ... Read full story
 11/1/2004
Quarantine Lifted at Kentucky Harness Track  *
Standardbred racehorse owners got a scare last week when officials quarantined three barns of horses at the Red Mile, a harness track in Lexington, Ky, because of serologic test results that suggested a horse might have had equine infectious anemia (EIA). That quarantine was brief, however, as further tests indicated that the horse was not suffering ... Read full story
 10/15/2004
Referring a Horse   *
Referral centers are those clinics or hospitals that offer diagnostic and therapeutic options not readily available or possible in a field (barn) type situation. These can include diagnostic modalities such as endoscopy with or without a treadmill, ultrasound, scintigraphy, and radiography, just to name a few. Referral centers can also offer a wide ... Read full story
 5/1/2004
Pursuing Hope   *
Referral centers are godsends to the equine community. Often housed in state-of-the-art buildings, featuring the latest in scientific technology and equipment, and manned by specialists, referral centers offer a strong ray of hope when the best efforts by veterinarians in the field just aren't enough. There is a down side, of course: They can be expensive. ... Read full story
 5/1/2004
Alberta Court Upholds Farrier's Right to Float Horse Teeth   *
The technicalities of defining veterinary medicine were tested in February in the Alberta, Canada, Court of Appeal when three appeal court justices ruled that a farrier was not guilty of illegally practicing veterinary medicine when he floated horses' teeth as a service to horse owners. According to reports in The Western Producer, an agricultural ... Read full story
 5/1/2004
Post-Surgical Care  *
"Your horse is ready to be released to your care at home." These words bring relief that the surgery is past and your horse is ready to return to the farm. But then, you have an anxious moment wondering how to manage a post-operative situation. You are wondering what you should be looking for that might portend a back-slide in your horse's recovery, ... Read full story
 3/1/2004
Owner-Performed Fecal Exams
In the interest of checking fecal samples for types of worms actually present in individual horses, and since I have the equipment, I'd like to do fecal checks here at home. Can you direct me to a chart or a book containing information and illustrations of eggs of various parasites? My veterinarian is an integral part of my horses' health, and he agrees ... Read full story
 3/1/2004
Prevention for the Masses   *
Veterinary care doesn't come cheap. While conscientious horse owners realize that disease prevention is ultimately cheaper than disease treatment, when you have five, or 15, or 50 horses to care for and limits on your budget, you need to look closely and think carefully about where to best spend your hard-earned dollars in order to obtain maximum protection ... Read full story
 1/1/2004
Reproductive Specialists   *
Is your best mare still not pregnant after three breedings? Is the stallion from whom you ship semen dropping off in fertility? Would you like to know about embryo transfer for your great cutting mare in order to keep her in competition? You might need to consult a theriogenologist! (Don't let the name stop you--that's just another name for veterinary ... Read full story
 12/1/2003
Colic Emergency!   *
A10-year-old Thoroughbred broodmare awaits her morning meal. There is a 4-month-old foal by her side. She only eats about half of the ration, but shows no signs of distress. The barn manager is notified that his best mare is a bit off her feed and showing mild signs of depression. In the short time it takes him to get to the barn, the mare has begun ... Read full story
 11/1/2003
Don't Be a Bystander   *
Horses are an integral part of our lives. Because they work for us, teach us, entertain us, and promote our physical and emotional health, we, as horse owners, are continually searching for up-to-date information on how to provide the best care for our horses. We buy books, read articles, and surf the Internet looking for ways to improve our barns, ... Read full story
 11/1/2003
Avoid Radiation Exposure   *
In my opinion, the cover photo on the May 2003 issue of The Horse captures a scene that occurs far too often in the equine ambulatory setting. Clients and horse handlers often assist in obtaining radiographs of their horses. Sometimes these people are directed to stand in or around the direct beam of the X ray machine, and all too often without any ... Read full story
 8/1/2003
What's Right for Your Horse?   *
Joint trauma can severely limit performance and seriously affect the quality of your horse's daily life. Owners want and need to know how best to manage equine joint disease. The most important factor in successful treatment is early detection and diagnosis. Any of the components of joints--the joint capsule, synovial membrane, synovial fluid, cartilage, ... Read full story
 6/1/2003
Stop Problems Before They Start  *
Thought you knew the latest in keeping your horse healthy from head to toe? Think again! Richard Mansmann, VMD, PhD, from Central Carolina Equine Practice in Chapel Hill, N.C., is using a preventive foot care program that's designed to detect early and/or prevent foot problems that could limit performance in horses. This program involves at least an ... Read full story
 6/1/2003
Arthritis Under Control   *
Although not usually life-threatening, arthritis causes your horse pain and can be career-ending. In fact, a research report from Michigan State University's McPhail Equine Performance Center calls degenerative joint disease the single most common cause of early retirement for sport horses. Scientists are working hard on several studies that might ... Read full story
 6/1/2003
A Shot in the Dark  *
Author's note: This article is intended to improve your understanding of drugs commonly used in equine veterinary care; it is not a "treatment guide" for the lay person. No medication or combination thereof should be given without veterinary consultation. Medications given in the wrong circumstance, via the wrong route, and/or in the wrong combination ... Read full story
 6/1/2003
Vet's Role in Physical Therapy  *
The health and soundness management of any horse--regardless of his level of use or the problems he might be encountering--is the responsibility of the horse's owner or trainer. The person responsible for the diagnosis, prescribing the treatment, and assessing progress and the effectiveness of the therapies is the veterinarian. The horse benefits from ... Read full story
 5/1/2003
Depending On the Team   *
Who is responsible for the horse, and what are that person's limits morally and legally for making decisions about his/her horse's health, care, and well-being? Being a responsible horse owner, you tend your horses daily in a way that ensures they are well-nourished, exercised properly, and that their general health is looked after in the means you ... Read full story
 5/1/2003
Saving Survivors   *
Amber is a 30-year-old Arabian mare which was slowly starving to death because her owners had run out of money to care for her. Because of her age and lack of potential and worth, Amber's owners allowed her to be pushed out of food and veterinary care in their herd of 35 horses. The husband finally decided to give Amber to a nearby therapeutic riding ... Read full story
 4/1/2003
Understanding the Venogram  *
This procedure allows veterinarians to see blood flow in the foot. Although it's still not widely used, the venogram (a procedure for visualizing blood flow within the foot) has been acclaimed by many as an essential tool for treating lame horses, especially laminitic ones. In her presentation "Aspects of Normal Digital Venogram, Anatomy, Parameters, ... Read full story
 3/7/2003
Vet's Role in Parasite Control   *
Internal parasites can be a very serious problem for horses. Even though most owners are aware that deworming is a necessary part of an overall good health program for their horses, the veterinarian is sometimes left out of that loop. Because deworming agents are available over-the-counter, many--if not most--horse owners deworm their own horses without ... Read full story
 1/1/2003
Veterinarian/Farrier Relationship   *
The Practice Act laws state that only veterinarians can diagnose and treat health problems. The veterinarian has to keep records related to each visit and also must protect the confidentiality of your horse's records, and is the steward of that information for you. Veterinarians are required to have a great deal of education, but often not a great ... Read full story
 1/1/2003
Purchase Exams Table Topic  *
Purchase examinations are a big bone of contention in many equine sale situations--not so much over the necessity of them, but over what exactly needs to be evaluated and how to interpret the results. Rick Mitchell, DVM, of Fairfield Equine Associates in Newtown, Conn.; and Harry Werner, VMD, who practices in North Granby, Conn., moderated a lunchtime ... Read full story
 12/17/2002
AAEP 2002 Podiatry Forum  *
“The horse’s foot is so integral to most of what we do in equine practice,” said moderator Gayle Trotter, DVM, MS, professor in clinical sciences at Colorado State University, in the Podiatry forum on Dec. 12 at the American Association of Equine Practitioners convention in Orlando, Fla. Topics discussed included the role of imaging in equine podiatry, ... Read full story
 12/11/2002
Your Partner in Horse Health   *
Articles, forums, and other information from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) have appeared in The Horse magazine for a number of years. I thought that for this Forum I might take the opportunity to let you know a little bit more about our organization--why we exist, what we do, and why we are relevant to you and your horses. ... Read full story
 12/1/2002
Creating Your Health Care Team   *
You are ultimately responsible for your horse, for all issues from training to health care. In this day and age, you have access to a variety of health care providers and to a great deal of information--and misinformation--from people claiming to be alternative medicine practitioners. Who can help you decipher all this as it relates to your horse's ... Read full story
 12/1/2002
Finding a Suitable Cooled Semen Facility
I'm considering using shipped cooled semen for my mare. I want to find a reliable farm/facility to take the shipment and breed her. How do I find a qualified facility? What questions do I need to ask about quality? Is there a site or a book to inform me about this? Kandyce Equine practitioners offering ambulatory services can often provide this service ... Read full story
 10/1/2002
Radiographs and Selecting Racehorses  *
Veterinarians should select racehorses at auction, not "radiographically clean horses," Thoroughbred farm Three Chimneys' resident veterinarian Jim Morehead, DVM, told Australia's leading equine veterinarians at a yearling radiographic seminar Aug. 18 at Sydney University. "We need to remember as veterinarians that the buyer, consignor, sale companies, ... Read full story
 8/22/2002
Sifting Veterinary Advice  *
Your horse has a problem that your veterinarian is treating. Then you read an article from a reliable source or hear from a friend's veterinarian of a different way (in your mind possibly a better way) to treat your horse's current problem. You are excited and take that information to your veterinarian, but he/she does not agree with using that treatment. ... Read full story
 5/1/2002
Vet's Role in Purchase Exams  *
The purchase examination can be one of the most confusing aspects of buying a horse. It might take weeks, or even months, of searching to find the most suitable horse. Then your efforts are held under the discretion of the examining veterinarian, who seems to spend an immeasurable amount of time examining the horse that you deemed "perfect." I will ... Read full story
 3/1/2002
Maintaining Health Records: Keep Notes on Everything!  *
"Today ate 15 pounds of hay and six pounds of grain (very good). Chewed fence three times (better). Refused only two jumps (wrong color for my attitude). Rolled in mud 10 minutes after bath (very bad according to my person, but felt very good). Dragged my person from the barn to the pasture (bad for her, fun for me). Thought of that Irish-bred warmblood ... Read full story
 12/1/2001
Making Every Health Dollar Count  *
One of the most important aspects of owning a horse is the relationship an owner has with his or her veterinarian. In these days of advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques, horses live longer, healthier lives, and therefore, give their owners that much more enjoyment and pleasure. Hopefully, your relationship with a veterinarian will begin because ... Read full story
 10/15/2001
New Year's Vet-Solutions  *
Exercise more. Cut down on coffee. Call your children more often. The new year is here--and why not put your horse's health on your resolution list? Just like you, your horse needs a health maintenance plan and regular immunizations from its doctor. Immunizations will protect your horse from the ravages of disease easily and effectively--IF planned ... Read full story
 10/11/2001
Prepurchase Exam  *
The purchase examination of the horse has become an important part of the horse industry, and the equine practitioner plays an integral role in the procedure. Horses must be bought and sold for the industry to progress. The number of horse owners has increased, as has the value of the equine athlete. The medical examination of the horse for purchase ... Read full story
 10/3/2001
PreventiCare Program  *
Quietly, for nearly three years, horses and owners have been saved—horses from pain and death, and owners from expense and worry. While the start-up has been quiet, the impact is growing exponentially and can be seen in areas all across the country. The Pfizer Animal Health PreventiCare program and Colic Assistance Plan, in short, allow horse owners ... Read full story
 10/3/2001
Pre-Purchase Exams
Q: Over the years, I've had a number of pre-purchase exams done on my horses. I've come to realize that one vet will read an X ray and say a horse has arthritis, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), navicular problems, etc., but when you have a different vet read the same X rays, they will come up with totally different findings. Why is this? Sue ... Read full story
 10/1/2001
Have Horses? We'll Travel!  *
Have horses? We'll travel! seems to be the motto of Jack Snyder, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, and Sharon Spier, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, a husband-wife team who for the past dozen years have set up and spearheaded referral hospitals for some of the world's most elite equine competitions. Their well-worn luggage has stamps from exotic locals such as Korea, Italy, ... Read full story
 9/13/2001
Should I Breed My Mare?  *
T o breed or not to breed . . . .With apologies to William Shakespeare, that is a question that perplexes many mare owners and is one without a single, simple answer. The problem usually begins with ownership of a mare which fits our equestrian needs--trail riding, jumping, cutting, roping, dressage, horse trials, whatever. Perhaps she is a stellar ... Read full story
 9/12/2001
Enjoying Veterinary Visits  *
In our referral equine behavior practice, we frequently rehabilitate horses perceived to be uncooperative with one or more veterinary procedures such as injections, nasogastric tubing, genital examination, etc. We have found that straightforward behavior modification techniques--adapted to the horse--are highly effective in regaining and maintaining ... Read full story
 6/1/2001
Who Owns Radiographs?
My vet took some X rays of my horse's legs. I paid the bill in full, but when I asked for the X rays, he said they belonged to him and not me. Is this correct? If I'm charged for the X rays, why can't I have them? Many veterinarians run into this situation, not only equine veterinarians. To the client, it makes sense that he or she would own the ... Read full story
 6/1/2001
Untimely End--Early Embryonic Death  *
Breeding horses can be both exhilarating and devastating. Wrapped up in the process are hopes, dreams, and visions of future greatness and glory. The hopes and dreams begin with the selection of a stallion for your special mare. You assess her strengths and weaknesses, then select that "just right" stallion to complement her. Even before the mating ... Read full story
 4/1/2001
Is Your Horse Enrolled In A Wellness Program  *
A wellness program for your horse will save you time, money, and most of all the headache of worrying if you're doing the right things at the right time. But with all the sources of horse health care information available today, how do you decide what's right for your horse? Books, magazines, the Internet, your farrier, the feed store operator, and ... Read full story
 3/1/2001
The Trouble With Twins  *
Mother Nature clearly does not favor the birth of equine twins, as a significant number of twin embryos spontaneously abort within the first six weeks of pregnancy. Of the twin conceptions present after 40 days of pregnancy, about 80% will subsequently abort, most often after the eighth month of pregnancy, according to the University of California, ... Read full story
 3/1/2001
Equine Insurance  *
The great day has arrived. You've been patient. You've saved your money. You've looked at dozens of candidates. Now you know this is the horse for you, the one that will take you to the training level at the horse trials or, if another discipline is involved, allow you to move up in your chosen competition. The only problem is that the horse costs ... Read full story
 2/1/2001
A Paradigm For Equine Euthanasia  *
A horse owner develops a relationship with his or her horse that is marked by mutual trust, respect, and affection, much as would be encountered in a relationship between two people who spend several hours every day together doing something enjoyable for both. Overall, the levels of attachment shown by horse owners seem to be increasing. It is highly ... Read full story
 2/1/2001
Terrible or Tolerant? Training to Handle Veterinary Procedures  *
One of the most frustrating scenarios for horse owners and their veterinarians is the horse that is difficult to treat. We all have known such a horse, one which might start out fighting the annual Coggins blood sample and vaccinations. Or the one that dangerously refuses placement of the rectal thermometer. Or the one that successfully avoids the ... Read full story
 12/1/2000
A Gold Medal Performance  *
The Olympics were a huge success for all three equestrian disciplines--eventing, dressage, and jumping. Since the test event at the Olympic site last September, it had been an eagerly awaited competition. In the end, all the hard work and effort put in by the organizers, volunteers, and officials paid off handsomely. From a veterinary viewpoint, these ... Read full story
 12/1/2000
Winter Stress  *
Winter weather can be responsible for stress that compromises a horse's health. The good news is that we, as caretakers, can alleviate that stress or even prevent it from occurring in the first place. Of course for some animals, such as show horses, one season is pretty much like another. They are housed in heated barns and are kept under blankets ... Read full story
 11/1/2000
Beware The Bacteria: Salmonella  *
We tend to hear about Salmonella, a bacteria, in relation to lectures on kitchen hygiene; it's one of the main reasons why we're warned to wash our hands vigorously after handling raw chicken. But you might recall being forbidden to have a pet turtle as a kid because of the risk of it carrying Salmonella. Truth is, not only might that turtle or chicken ... Read full story
 11/1/2000
Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later  *
A television commercial ended with this rather succinct comment by a smiling service station owner, "You can pay me now, or you can pay me later." The thrust of the message was that if automobile owners didn't spend the money up front on maintenance and servicing, it would cost them a good deal later in the form of major repair work. It is a lot like ... Read full story
 11/1/2000
Supplements And Drugs  *
There is much confusion among horse owners about products. This stems from the avalanche of new products being marketed over-the-counter as nutraceuticals or nutritional supplements. The claims made about these products often are what classifies them either as a drug or a nutritional supplement, and determines whether the Food and Drug Administration ... Read full story
 10/1/2000
Health Scheduling  *
For first-time horse owners, getting a new horse can border on the overwhelming. You have to find a suitable boarding barn or create adequate stabling on your own property and buy tack, grooming equipment, cooling sheets and/or blankets. You have to provide for proper nutrition and feeding schedules. Then you've got to arrange for regular veterinary ... Read full story
 8/1/2000
Good Nursing: Feeding Sick Horses  *
Blossom is a sorry sight. Suffering from the symptoms of strangles--fever, a snotty nose, and depression--she's been standing with her head in one corner of her isolation stall for hours now, barely moving. What's worse, her morning grain is untouched, and her hay has become part of her bedding, largely un-eaten. Never a plump mare, she seems to have ... Read full story
 8/1/2000
Prepurchase Exams  *
I f you buy a house, you have it inspected before closing. If you buy a used car, you take it to a service station to have it checked out. The same thing is available for horses. Veterinarians will come out to your barn, or the seller's barn, and examine the horse for you. It is called a purchase or a prepurchase exam. Before we go over what happens ... Read full story
 7/1/2000
New Directions In Deworming  *
For a long time, parasitologists recommended that horse owners utilize the same deworming program for all of their horses on a routine and regular basis. And why not? It was an efficient and easy method of parasite control. Now, parasitologists are rethinking those protocols. We're being given a warning that if we don't take care today, we might be ... Read full story
 7/1/2000
Common Problems and Their Signs: Part Two  *
In the April issue, the cover story began our study of common problems that can affect your horse. Those included the oral cavity, eyes, GI system, and respiratory system. The ability to recognize abnormalities depends on a person's knowledge of what is normal; the greater someone's knowledge of normal anatomy, physiology, behavior, and environment ... Read full story
 6/1/2000
Selecting an Alternative Practitioner
We give you an overview of the non-conventional treatments you're most likely to encounter in your horse's life, along with experts' viewpoints and resources for obtaining more information about chiropractic, acupuncture, herbal remedies, and other "complementary" therapies, in Alternative Therapies: Quality Or Quackery. We hope you'll use the information ... Read full story
 6/1/2000
When Should I Call the Vet?
I'm a member of an online horse discussion group. Sometimes we ask each other about training or ailments our horses have, and we trade ideas, tips, and advice. Some health conditions sound very serious. How do I know when a problem is serious enough to call the vet? I also have read some of the postings to these discussion groups, and have read lay ... Read full story
 6/1/2000
Off-Label Drug Use for Horses  *
Off-label drug use, which technically was illegal until recently, might be one of the most beneficial things we as veterinarians do in the treatment of disease in animals. The technically illegal part was a result of the way a drug was licensed by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for use. For example, Drug X is licensed for the treatment of ... Read full story
 4/1/2000
Getting A Second Opinion  *
Your horse comes up lame. You call your veterinarian and have him or her come out and examine the animal. Your practitioner prescribes a treatment protocol that is carried out. The horse improves somewhat, but a nagging lameness remains. You call and ask your veterinarian to make another visit to your farm. The veterinarian arrives, examines the horse ... Read full story
 2/1/2000
Foals and Meconium Impaction  *
With foaling season rapidly approaching, many people are checking their foaling kits, and preparing for the big delivery. You've got your thermometer, stethoscope, umbilical tape, disinfectant to dip the umbilicus, and lots of towels. The foal is delivered and thankfully, no problems--he's up and nursing in no time. A few hours later, you go back out ... Read full story
 2/1/1999
Communicating With Your Vet  *
The ability to communicate well is probably one of the most important skills for success you can develop no matter what you do for a living. It seems, at least in my life, that when something goes wrong (or not as well as I had planned), it usually can be traced back to some form of miscommunication. The art of communication--and I do believe it is ... Read full story
 1/1/1999
Euthanasia for Horses  *
After three days of colic, the horse's pain finally is subdued by various drugs and the anesthetic gas. The ventilator now is breathing for the horse, which has been placed on his back and a large incision made in his abdomen to allow for discovery of the problem-approximately 20 feet of strangulated and dead small intestine. The horse is extremely ... Read full story
 10/1/1998
Rx: Responsible Drug Use  *
Tranquilizers can calm a nervous, first-time dam and allow her to accept her foal; anti-inflammatory drugs may allow a mildly arthritic horse to continue safely in a handicapped riding program; antibiotics can be life--and career--saving to a racehorse with pneumonia. At some time, medications could be an important part of the equation in your horse's ... Read full story
 8/1/1998
Administering Medications  *
Author's Note: The purpose of this article is to act as a reference to aid the veterinarian in educating clients in the techniques of medication administration. This article is not intended to act as an encouragement to owner-prescribed medication administration. In fact, I must state that I am personally against an owner making the decision to administer ... Read full story
 6/1/1998
How To Find A Vet On The Road
We are in the midst of planning our summer vacation. We also are planning to take our horses on this trip so that we can do some trail riding. However, we do have a concern. What if one of our horses becomes ill or injures himself on the trip? What is the best way to find a veterinarian when we are away from home with our horses? You say you are ... Read full story
 4/1/1998
Protection and Perception: The AAEP On-Call Program  *
Of the 84 horses pre-entered in the 14th Breeders' Cup Day of championship racing for Thoroughbreds, 10 did not answer the call to the post the next Saturday. Two horses had a "system" disease that took them out of training. One horse (a longshot) was "not training well" and was withdrawn. Two other horses had minor problems that weren't lamenesses, ... Read full story
 1/1/1998
Olympic Soundness: For Peak Performance  *
Olympic champions excel due to talent and durability. Only a few earn the coveted medals, but horses of international quality prove they are true equine athletes. Like a classic race, the Olympics are a goal. A horse's owner and rider might determine the aim years in advance, then target the animal's training, competition, and conditioning toward the ... Read full story
 7/1/1996




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